ti amo
/ti ˈa.mo/informal, singular
The phrase "i love you" in Italian is ti amo. Wiktionary also lists vi amo.
Meaning: affirmation of romantic feeling (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ti amo | /ti ˈa.mo/ | informal, singular |
| vi amo | formal, plural |
ti amo is an affirmation of romantic feeling. Because it is so intense and romantic, it is not used casually with acquaintances or casual dating partners.
Which one should you use?
Use ti voglio bene for friends and family, whereas ti amo is reserved strictly for romantic love.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ti amo is the informal singular form. vi amo is the formal plural form.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Sicily, one may hear Ti vogghiu 'u beni.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ti amo, the pronoun ti (you) is placed before the conjugated verb amo (I love).
How do you pronounce it?
/ti ˈa.mo/, 3 syllables, stressed syllable is 2 of 3
When do people say it?
The phrase Ti voglio tanto bene is similar to ti voglio bene but adds tanto to emphasize the depth of love.
Did you know?
- The verb amo in the phrase ti amo has an unexpected connection to the Latin word hāmus, which refers to a fish hook.
- While English uses 'love' for both romantic and platonic feelings, Italian uses the verb volere (to want) in ti voglio bene to express love for friends and family.
- Because ti amo is so heavy with romantic weight, saying it too early in a dating relationship can be perceived as an overwhelming or even alarming gesture in Italian culture.
Examples in context
- So che ti amo.I know that I love you.This sentence shows the use of ti amo in a subordinate clause.Tatoeba #8425678 by Guybrush88, translation #7521816 by CK
- Ti amo di più.I love you more.This sentence shows a comparative use of ti amo.Tatoeba #13298320 by Guybrush88, translation #12675782 by anzart
- Io ti amo, Tom.I love you, Tom.This sentence shows how to use ti amo when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #4649429 by Guybrush88, translation #2765612 by CK
- Nonna, ti voglio bene.Grandma, I love you.
- Cuginetto, ti voglio tanto bene.Little cousin, I love you so much.
- Zia, ti adoro. Sei la migliore!Aunt, I adore you. You're the best!
- 136 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are saying goodbye before work.
- ChiaraTi amo, Alessandro.I love you, Alessandro.
- AlessandroAnch'io ti amo, Chiara.I love you too, Chiara.
- ChiaraA dopo, allora.See you later, then.
- AlessandroA dopo, amore mio.See you later, my love.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “i love you” translations and entries ti amo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amo, ti, vi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
